We are Simply Advisors

This one I truly do not understand. So many people think that we just give advice and don’t actually do any work, which also brings us back to the point I made earlier. Lots of people ask me to come to their homes for a consultation where they show me their space, tell me what they want it to look like or what they don’t like about it, and then I answer all of their questions and give them ideas based off of my opinion. For many people, that’s all they think an interior designer does. So they meet with several different interior designers and just repeat the process until they think they’re ready to tackle it themselves. But here is my question for you: how exactly do you plan on executing the design if you don’t have a complete understanding of it? Yes we advise and give expert opinion on all of your different design dilemmas, but we can also fix them all for you. You wouldn’t go to the doctor and explain your symptoms., and then go home and try to fix your ailment yourself. So why explain your home’s symptoms to its "doctor", and then not allow the designer to fix them?

I can do it Myself, Why would I waste my Money

In my experience, this has been one of the biggest misconception out there. Many people think that because they have a good eye for fashion and colour, they can easily design their space themselves with a much tighter budget. Although having a keen eye for design is a great start for a homeowner when it comes to redesigning a home, it isn’t the only thing that should be considered. How the space needs to function is an important consideration, and although many home owners may have a very specific idea of how they want to execute that function, a professional designer may have more realistic ideas that allow the space to function far beyond anything an average Joe would consider. Interior designers also have far more resources than their clients when it comes to selecting anything necessary for any scale of home renovation. There are several show rooms out there that don’t allow the average person access to, but a designer would have complete open access to all of them as well as a discount, that as a client you would also benefit from. There really is no way around it, but designers unquestionably know more about designing a beautiful space where form follows function.

Interior Designers make all the Decisions for you

This idea is frankly a little crazy to me. How can someone unilaterally make all the decisions about how your home should look, feel, and function without any input from you, the actual homeowner? It’s up to the homeowner to communicate all their wants and needs for their home, and the designer to use their education, experience, and professional expertise to make it come to life in ways the homeowner never dreamed of. In reality, the best designs come from a collaboration between the homeowner and the designer. A big reason why this myth is so popular is because that is how many design shows portray an interior designer’s job. The designer sees the home for the first time, having never met the homeowner, and after a quick conversation about what they like and don’t like about the space, the homeowners are kicked out. It isn’t till the very end of many of these television shows that the homeowners are welcomed back into their homes for the big reveal of their new space. This is definitely not how it works in the real world! Every designer has their own process and way of doing things, but they all have one thing in common: the homeowners always have the final say. It’s up to the client to decide how much or how little they would like to be involved in the process, but it’s very rare that the designer goes off and does everything on their own.

Interior Designers don’t Work within a Budget

Where are these people with unlimited funds and no budget to follow? Because I definitely want one of them as a client! Unfortunately, those people are few and far between. There is always a budget that needs to be considered when undertaking a project, no matter how large or small it may be. Have a project that is very small and only includes adding some finishing touches to make it feel more like home (and less like a white box)? Many people assume that a project like that would be much too small to hire an interior designer, but really just like there is no such thing as a stupid question, there is no such thing as a project too small. In fact interior designers are very good at working within a budget and getting creative to give you the most bang for your buck! Even with a bigger project and a big budget to match, designers always try their best to work their magic to get you the best deal possible. A big goal at Kaleidoscope Design Studio is to give you the home you’ve been dreaming of at a price you can afford.

It’s Easy and doesn’t Require a lot of Time

Interior design is not as easy as throwing some things you like together, and having it work. It isn't magic! And it’s also not quite as simple as going to your local furniture and décor store and buying a suite for your space. My personal favourite example is when people tell me they could do what I do easily (yes, people have told me this!), but they’re typically the type that enjoy matching their tops with their sweater sets. I’m sure they’re also very comfortable in their complete and matching living room set! And for some people that’s just fine. But there is a lot more that goes into creating the perfect space for someone. You must consider how the space will be used, and how it needs to function in order to get the most out of any space, big or small. A good design is more than just pretty to look at.

A Designer won’t give me a Livable Space

Many people are very concerned that by hiring an interior designer they’re not going to get a space that truly reflects them or their needs. They feel as though a designer is going to design something the designer likes - which may or may not reflect the client's taste. Or they’re concerned that the space will look like the cover of a magazine and don’t want to live in a display. First, it is the client's job to communicate to the designer what they like and to speak up about things they don’t like or concerns they have with the design. A good interior designer will be able to fill in the gaps and predict what it is that a client needs before the client themselves even realizes it. Second of all, a designer’s main goal is to create a livable space that is both functional and beautiful. So by my definition, when you hire an interior designer, you are almost guaranteed a livable space. As a designer myself, I believe that your space should work for you, not the other way around.

Myth Busters | Misconceptions About Interior Designers